Astana reconfirms Contador's role for 2010

[SpeedWay]

Karma gets him in the end. At least he won't have the "bad one" to blame next year. Lawyer up and suck it up, kid.

 

[davidg]

It disgust me when I see people doing this, both in cycling and in other sports. A contract is a legally-binding document, and by signing it Contador agreed to riding races for Astana, so he now has to do that.

If one cannot keep his work with respect to a contract, then what is a contract worth?

+1 provided Astana have honoured what they set out in the agreement, then Contador should do likewise. Not saying it is a good thing - but that is what he agreed to in exchange for a pot of money.

 

[Publicus]

It disgust me when I see people doing this, both in cycling and in other sports. A contract is a legally-binding document, and by signing it Contador agreed to riding races for Astana, so he now has to do that.

If one cannot keep his work with respect to a contract, then what is a contract worth?

Fair point. I think what is unique here is that Alberto essentially signed for 3 years with the idea that JB would be managing the team. As of today, despite Astana's press release, we don't know that they will have a team manager OR an SD's for the 2010 of the quality they had before. The nature of the team may fundamentally change from the one that Alberto signed with after the 2008 season. And in a personal services contract, I believe that becomes key. He's gone from a cycling powerhouse to pro continental team overnight. That's a material change. Obviously the question is whether that is material enough to void the contract.

If Astana is serious, then they have a lot of work to do between now and then to build a competitive professional team similar to the Astana that AC signed with in 2008. Just my opinion.

 

[Anonymous]

Fair point. I think what is unique here is that Alberto essentially signed for 3 years with the idea that JB would be managing the team. As of today, despite Astana's press release, we don't know that they will have a team manager OR an SD's for the 2010 of the quality they had before. The nature of the team may fundamentally change from the one that Alberto signed with after the 2008 season. And in a personal services contract, I believe that becomes key. He's gone from a cycling powerhouse to pro continental team overnight. That's a material change. Obviously the question is whether that is material enough to void the contract.

If Astana is serious, then they have a lot of work to do between now and then to build a competitive professional team similar to the Astana that AC signed with in 2008. Just my opinion.

Agreed. I can imagine it will be particularly difficult for Astana to attract quality talent because of the financial troubles this past spring and Vino banging his fist on the table saying essentially "my way or the highway".

Can anyone imagine a scenario where AC starts the TdF next year with a team no stronger than Lotto or Ag2r?

 

[Astana1]

Vino send kazahk secret police to contadors house to make good offer. Vino need someone to carry bottles and break wind.

 

[Cerberus]

Vino send kazahk secret police to contadors house to make good offer. Vino need someone to carry bottles and break wind.

I don't see Contador riding for Vino's chances, even if Vino is delusional enough to order it.

 

[Astana1]

I don't see Contador riding for Vino's chances, even if Vino is delusional enough to order it.

Kazakh secret police very persuasive. No need for pockets as deep as caspian.

 

[Cerberus]

Kazakh secret police very persuasive. No need for pockets as deep as caspian.

As I said I very strongly doubt that, but I guess we'll see.

 

[Astana1]

Police make offer Alberto no refuse. make vino very happy.

 

[**Uru**]

I too read this as posturing by Astana to up the asking price for Contador. Another thing I wondered about earlier in the year was whether Contador was still being payed when Astana stopped payment to JB. If they were paying Contador all along, that might have been another source of tension. Also, if they were paying him, it may undermine his legal arguments to get out of his current contract.

 

[Mellow Velo]

The funny thing is, we were told that Bruyneel held the PT licence, when, in fact, it turned out to be the Kazakh fed.(not a surprise to me)
We then believe that it is Olympus Sarl, (JB) that holds Contador's contract and once again, we are wrong, it's the Kazakh's again. (a bit more surprising)

IF Contador is forced to stay with Astana, it's not all bad news. No way will Vino get to ride next year's Tour. Getting caught there, means no ASO invite.
Can't guarrantee the quality of Berto's Tour team, though.

The other thing that will be on his mind, is the slapdash "medical preparation" that accompanies Vino's gang. Not a patch on the Hog's, not to mention tres risque.

 

[lean mean &green]

posturing by astana but not only to get a bigger buyout, that's just the backup plan.

retaining AC is their best chance to get a TDF invite. their chances are slim or none without him. they'd be happy to keep him no matter his disposition but they'd like to get maximum cash for him as a last resort.

 

[isayic]

Where is the backdoor????????

I'm thinking this is the worst of all possible scenarios for AC (if true). What do you think?

http://www.cyclingnews.com/news/astana-reconfirms-contadors-role-for-2010

I think the last word is not spoken yet. Alberto should look for a good lawyer who can find a way out of the contract. -- If I am not completely wrong Zubeldia also still has a contract with Astana for next year. When he can leave for another team Alberto should also be able to go.

 

[zoeart]

I think the last word is not spoken yet. Alberto should look for a good lawyer who can find a way out of the contract. -- If I am not completely wrong Zubeldia also still has a contract with Astana for next year. When he can leave for another team Alberto should also be able to go.

Hola,

In an article in El Diario Vasco (the basque diary) a couple weeks ago, Zubelidia said he is contracted with Olympus Sarl.
http://www.diariovasco.com/20090729/deportes/ciclismo/relacion-contador-armstrong-sido-20090729.html

- ¿Qué va a ser de su futuro?
- Yo tengo un año más firmado con una sociedad, Olympus. Bruyneel me dijo que quería seguir contando conmigo

He has one more year with Olympus and Brynueel said he'd like to keep counting on him. (No Google translate I am a native Spanish speaker)

 

[scribe]

posturing by astana but not only to get a bigger buyout, that's just the backup plan.

retaining AC is their best chance to get a TDF invite. their chances are slim or none without him. they'd be happy to keep him no matter his disposition but they'd like to get maximum cash for him as a last resort.

Indeed. Without some serious GT invites, the team will be heading in the opposite of up. With only Vino, it is much more difficult to get that TdF invite.

It sucks to ask someone to rip their heart out for you when you know they don't want to, but Astana has few cards left after the Bruyneel & Co exit.

 

[Izoard]

Posturing, big time. I'm sure Astana wants AC, but if they can turn a big profit, they will.

 

[scribe]

I'd like to see Contador get out. Then there will be no excuses, as he will be on a team of his own terms.

 

[hfer07]

Hola,

In an article in El Diario Vasco (the basque diary) a couple weeks ago, Zubelidia said he is contracted with Olympus Sarl.
http://www.diariovasco.com/20090729/deportes/ciclismo/relacion-contador-armstrong-sido-20090729.html

- ¿Qué va a ser de su futuro?
- Yo tengo un año más firmado con una sociedad, Olympus. Bruyneel me dijo que quería seguir contando conmigo

He has one more year with Olympus and Brynueel said he'd like to keep counting on him. (No Google translate I am a native Spanish speaker)

Thanks for the link.-Aside from the topic-Zubelibia's comments confirm once again the endless disagreements between LA/JB and AC.-perhaps he's very prudent & smart to fuel even more that controversy...

Back to the Topic- Seems to me that some riders have contracts with Olympus Sarl (Bruyneel's company) but Bruyneel himself must have a Contract with Astana/Kazakh Cycling federation-which he has to honor too(unless otherwise stipulated)-So I think they're likely forced to work together yet another season.

 

[red_flanders]

I'd like to see Contador get out. Then there will be no excuses, as he will be on a team of his own terms.

Does he need excuses? It would appear he dominated.

 

[usedtobefast]

Police make offer Alberto no refuse. make vino very happy.

spain has some guys too. so they tell me. i hope ac gets a team he likes. i don't know him, but he can damn well ride a bike.

 

[scribe]

Does he need excuses? It would appear he dominated.

He definitely dominated, but it didn't stop him from complaining this year.

It will be especially difficult for him without Paulinho's companionship next year at Astana. I can just hear it now.....

 

[Publicus]

He definitely dominated, but it didn't stop him from complaining this year.

It will be especially difficult for him without Paulinho's companionship next year at Astana. I can just hear it now.....

This might be one of the more ridiculous things you've intimated in these threads. From all accounts he had legitimate basis to complain, but largely stayed silent. Just let it go dude.

 

[No_Balls]

Yes, as a professional, AC stayed silent during Tour de France refusing to give any comments about the internal situation hoping for it to be solved within the team. However, his wishes was put to shame given to Twit-t-w-a-t s behavior with the start back in Paris-Nice.

 

[fatandfast]

If Alberto can't get a lawyer to show that the Astana way of doing things,paying bills,doping history is not reason to void his contract. Then he should get a new lawyer, Or at the very least get paid all his salary up front or have it held in an account to show some good faith from an organization that without Armstrong bucks would have faded 4 or 5 months ago. Go under Spanish labor law and these commies will be cooked and you can ride off into the sunset.

 

[Cobblestones]

Something which people seem to have forgotten is that Contador (along with several others) did get paid in May. It seems that riders with a contract directly with Astana got paid, while the problems where with the riders contracted by the Hog's Olympus SARL. IIRC, of course.